Corey Melom

 

Keep up with Corey here:

www.myspace.com/thecrinn

 

 

When I was growing up music was a huge part of my family life. My Dad is a virtual walking encyclopedia of rock and roll. He’s also a drummer and has played in various polka and rock bands. For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play drums in a band. When I was nine my parents decided to get me private snare lessons to introduce me to drums. I discovered Heavy Metal and that was it. I needed to be in a Metal band. My Dad started giving me drum kit lessons when I was twelve. He showed me some basic exercises and beats to familiarize me with kit. He gave me about a total of three lessons and then I just started listen to cds and teaching myself the beats off the albums. That’s truly the best way to get better. Especially things you know you can’t play.

My first gig was my 7th grade talent show. I was in a three peace band called.I don’t think we had a name, but we played Dead embryonic cells and Man who sold the world. Looking back that was kind of an odd combination. That band didn’t last long and I played with a few other bands before I joined a band called Down Shift where I met Cole Leonard. The band eventual changed its name to Dee:esS and went strong for a few years. Craving something different, Cole and I started a side project with our good friend Chad White, called.. The Crinn. Eventually Dee:esS dismembered and The Crinn became my main focus. We’ve been together and touring for almost three years now just added our new vocalist John Nelson. I’ve never been more proud of anything, than being apart of this band.

 

 

Corey Melom Interview:

 

 

SD.com: You are about to head out on a 38 city tour. What do you do to get >ready for the road?

Corey: Practice… A lot. The Crinn usually practices 3-5 times a week and >about 3-5 hours a practice. We try to bump it up a notch the week before we leave.

 

 

SD.com: What would you say is the hardest part of touring?

Corey: Showering. The showers at truck stops and camp grounds are the most horrific places on earth.

 

 

SD.com: When did you start playing drums?

Corey: I started playing snare drum at nine and moved to the kit at twelve.

 

 

SD.com: Do you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Corey: I played in concert band from 5th-12th grade and marching band 7th-9th grade.

 

 

SD.com: Have you ever taken any lessons?

Corey: I had about three kit lessons from my Dad but after that I just listened to cds and taught myself.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Corey:

John Melom (my Dad)

Chris Pennie (The Dillinger Escape Plan)

Raymond Herrera (Fear Factory)

Igor Cavalera (Sepultura)

Ken Owen (Carcass)

 

 

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are >your favorites?

Corey:

Greg Herman (Psyopus)

Patrik Hultin (Burst)

Aaron Windham (Radiation 4)

Max Wineburg (Max Wineburg 7)

Matthew Gossman (Into The Moat)

 

 

SD.com: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation

Corey:

Radiation 4 – Wonderland

Calculating Infinity – The Dillinger Escape Plan

Our Puzzling Encounters – Psyopus

Origo – Burst

Means by which the end is justified – Into The Moat

 

 

SD.com: Do you practice any specific rudiments or combo’s regularly?

Corey: There is a few sections of our songs and other bands, that I’ll use as exercises.

 

 

 

 

SD.com: What is your favorite part of your drum kit?

Corey: My 1957 Rogers snare drum. It was my Dad’s first snare and the only one I’ve ever had. I plan on retiring it after this tour.

 

 

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would >be…

Corey: 1. practice, practice, practice.  2. Try to take in as many influences as humanly possible, their are more than just metal drummers out there. 3.Try to be creative, as hard as it is to play blast beats, if it’s the only thing you do You will sound boring. Change it up a little.

 

 

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Corey: Chris Pennie, at First Avenue is Minneapolis. That dude can PLAY SON!

 

 

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else do you want to do with your >life?

Corey: Probably just keep on being a carpenter, I’d most likely be involved with music some how. But I don’t want to work I just want to bang on the drums all day.